Ultrasonication gains market strength

ULTRASONICATION is gaining market strength amongst non-thermal technologies for food safety and preservation. It is considered a fast, powerful yet non-destructive method in the food processing sector. The technique with low intensity and high frequency is widely used in filtration, marinating, fermentation, sterilisation, and cutting of heat-sensitive products such as chocolate and cakes, packaging, cleaning, and pasteurisation.

The food ultrasound market valued at USD93.7 million in 2017 is forecast to reach USD134.6 million by 2022 as it grows at a CAGR of 7.5%, according to data from the report, Food Ultrasound Market by Frequency Range, Food Product, Function And Region - Global forecast to 2022.

In 2017, the meat and seafood segments accounted for the highest market share for ultrasonic technology used in tenderisation, microbial inactivation, thawing, and meat product packaging without affecting its quality. Real-time ultrasound helps assess the chemical composition of the body and carcass of lamb, beef, fish, and poultry.

By function, the quality assurance segment dominated the market in 2017. Quality assurance is one of the oldest functions of ultrasound in the food processing industry. Ultrasound waves detect the physical and chemical characteristics of products. Low-intensity high-frequency waves are applied to characterise the food components during pre, post, and inline processing.

Major players are targeting Asia Pacific countries for expansions and investments, such as manufacturing-based economies like  Japan, China, and India.  But countries like Indonesia, Malaysia Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea are marked as a favourable market for ultrasonic food processing as a result of their growing economies.

In 2017,  Europe was the largest market for food ultrasound, with Germany in the lead. Suppliers of processed and packaged foods rely on ultrasound and other such technologies for the production of high-quality food products. Food processing is one of the major areas of research and investments in Europe.

The leading providers of ultrasonic technology for food processing are Bosch (Germany), Emerson (US), Bühler (Switzerland), Dukane (US), Heilscher (Germany), Siemens (Germany), Newtech (UK), Cheersonic (China), Rinco Ultrasonics (Switzerland), Omni international (US), Sonics & Materials (US), Elliptical Design (UK), Marchant Schmidt (US), and Sonomechanics (US).